march / april 2013

D E N N I S B U R K E M I N I S T R I E S

Exclusive PreviewIssue

The Way to a New Life

The Satisfied Life

Read a digest from Dr. Burke’s new book

SecretS for redefining Your Life

Oh, that men would give thanks to the LORD for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men! For He satisfies the longing soul, and fills the hungry soul with goodness.

P s a l m 1 0 7 : 8 – 9

Secrets for Redefining Your Life

The statement carried no sense of complacency. No careless surrender to the status quo. Instead, it sparkled with contentment, bubbling up like a spring from a man who was living life the way it’s meant to be lived.

Such springs are all too rare these days. People everywhere are parched. Thirsty for something more. Hungry for fulfillment they can’t seem to find.

Most of us try, though. You have to give us credit for that. We gnaw away at life like a dog at a bone—with determination, gusto, and frequently with frustration. Working it from every angle, we labor to extract from our existence the satisfaction we crave. Yet, more often than not, we still feel like we’re lacking something. Stomach growling, we always want more.

It’s not a new phenomenon. It can’t be blamed on Generation X, Y or Z. It wasn’t introduced by today’s consumer culture. By cashiers at drive-through windows saying, “Would you like to supersize that?” Or by The Shopping Network. No, the dilemma of perpetual

dissatisfaction has been around as long as people can remember. A few decades ago, it even caught the attention of the press. Hoping to shed some light on the situation, a news magazine surveyed thousands of Americans to find out just how much

money they needed to be satisfied. “What would it take for you to live the American dream?” they were asked.

After averaging the answers, the magazine reported these results: People making $25,000 a year thought $54,000

take Your Place at the father

’s table

i’ve only heard it once.In all my years of traveling and talking with

Christians all over the world, only one person has ever said these words to me. “Dennis, I wouldn’t change one thing about my life.”

b y d r . d e n n i s b u r k e

f rom The Satisf ied Life, a book by Dr. Dennis Burke

Secrets for Redefining Your Life

would be enough. Those making $100,000 said $192,000 would satisfy them. And so on. Eventually, John D. Rockefeller, one of the richest men in the world at the time, weighed in on the issue. When asked how much money it takes to be truly rich, he gave a classic, unforgettable answer. “Just a little more,” he said.

Marketing experts make millions by exploiting that mentality. They start by targeting toddlers with toy-laden cereal boxes. Stacking them knee high on grocery store shelves where little eyes can see and little hands can reach, they provoke the familiar cry. Mommy, I want it!

So it begins…and so it continues. From childhood, to adolescence, to adulthood, to the grave. Always wanting more. Never having enough.

As Christians, we’re not shocked when we see unbelievers trapped in such a cycle. Why shouldn’t they be? The only system they know enshrines materialism as a god. But things should be different in the church, don’t you think? Surely, we believers shouldn’t be running here and there, seeking the same stuff everybody else

does. Surely, we don’t have to be driven by the same insatiable disease. Yet all too often we are.

Christians by the church-loads live in continual frustration because they don’t have the cash to dress, drive, or vacation in the same kind of luxury their friends do. They mortgage themselves into misery, buying their way into upscale neighborhoods. Then they’re eaten up with embarrassment because they don’t have as much stuff as everybody else on the block.

What’s up with that?My answer may surprise you. Unlike

some, I don’t think the problem lies with our affluent society. I don’t believe that Christians have simply been seduced by a covetous culture. Nor do I believe we can rediscover the secret of contentment by adopting a more austere lifestyle. I don’t buy the idea that we can become less materialistic and more spiritually satisfied by wearing cheaper clothes, driving cheaper cars, and vacationing in tents in the backyard.

In other words, I’m not anti-stuff. I’m actually in favor of it. I like it. I like

nice cars and homes. I really like nice motorcycles. And I don’t mind saying so because I don’t believe those things are the problem.

The problem is we’ve fallen for a lie. We’ve gone after stuff (in the form of things, money, status, success, et cetera) like a dog goes after a bone because we’ve swallowed the same deception the dog does. We’ve believed that such bones could satisfy our inner hunger. People want stuff like dogs want bones. That’s what we’ve thought. But here’s the hitch. Dogs don’t really want bones. Dogs want meat. They’ve settled for bones.

So have we. In our quest to live an abundant life, we’ve settled for scraps. We’ve chased, chewed on, and coveted things that—although there’s nothing wrong with them—were never meant fulfill the hunger in our heart. We’ve fed on crumbs and stayed famished. Yet, all the while, our heavenly Father has a banquet table prepared for us. It’s piled high with enough soul-satisfying goodness to take us from here to eternity. And there’s a chair with our name on it. Sitting empty.

Unlike some, I don’t think the problem lies with our affluent society. I don’t believe that Christians have simply been seduced by a covetous culture.”

up by a frowning God who considers such fare their just desserts.

People get that idea because it’s the picture painted of God by every false religion in the world. It’s the picture of an angry God who is generally unhappy and must be appeased. A God who is displeased with people most of the time. Somehow that pagan concept has crept into the church. It’s convinced a great number of Christians that God is—at the very least—irritated with them. They believe that He’s saved them and given them hope for the hereafter, and they’re grateful for it. But

they’re not expecting Him to do much for them between now and then.

As a result, the majority of Christians need the same reassurance needed by people who are practically strangers to the Scriptures. First, they need to know that God is a good God. That He loves them and wants to do good things for them. In other words, they need to know that God wants to be, not their judge or their punisher, but their Papa.

Once we receive Jesus as Lord, God is our Papa, you know. According to the

Bible, that’s what our spirit calls Him. “For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father” (Romans 8:15). The Greek word Abba means Daddy, or Papa. I know something about that word not because I’m a Greek scholar but because I’m a grandfather and that’s what my grandchildren call me. Nothing lights me up any more than being their Papa. I love it. In my grandchildren’s eyes, Papa can do anything. He’s master of the universe. He’s a king (at least in his own mind) who delights in them and

wants to bless them in every conceivable way.

Why am I like that? Why do we as parents and grandparents have such a deep-rooted desire to drench our children and grandchildren with goodness? Because we’re made in God’s image. We’re created in the likeness of our heavenly Papa,

and that’s how He is. A Father who daily loadeth us with benefits,2 He is a good God!

Here’s the second thing I’ve found that believers everywhere need to know: God’s wants to be good to us not just in the sweet 2 Psalm 68:19 kJV

Insights | 5

continued on back

The solution to the problem seems so obvious it’s a wonder so many Christians miss it. But multitudes do.

Maybe that’s because they’ve been taught by well-meaning ministers that God’s feast is in heaven and they can’t enjoy it until they get there. Which would be fine if folks were planning to die or be raptured right away but most of them aren’t. I’ve noticed when I minister that if I ask who’s looking forward to heaven, hands fly up all over the congregation. People smile and cheer and wave. But when I ask if they want to go right now, the hands drop and the place goes silent. It seems that as hungry as believers might be for a satisfying life, if they have to pass through the pearly gates to get it, they’d rather wait and deal with their dissatisfaction some other way.

So that’s what we do. We try to put the kibosh on our carnality by feeling guilty about it. We cut up our credit cards. Cancel our subscriptions to Consumer’s Guide. Deprive ourselves of unnecessary indulgences and strive to be content with less. But those tactics by themselves don’t work. We can’t cure ourselves of materialism by cutting down on the amount of stuff in our lives any more than we could stop a starving man from eating out of a dumpster by putting him on a diet.

What we need to do is find our way to our Father’s table. Not a table reserved for the next life that can only be reached by way of heaven, but a table available to us now. Psalm 23 describes it as a table prepared for us in the presence of our enemies.1 Clearly, our enemies (which include the devil and everybody who’s working for him) aren’t waiting for us in heaven. They’re doing their dirty work on earth which means the Psalm 23 buffet can be enjoyed right here.

Even so, some people hesitate to pull up a chair. They’re afraid that what God is cooking up for them could be even less satisfying than the crumbs they’ve been scarfing. They remember the times they’ve messed up and suspect that their plate might be covered with cabbage and cod liver oil—a lifetime of hard lessons served

1 Psalm 23:5 | KJV

What we need to do is f ind

our way to our Father’s table.

Not a table reserved for the next life that can only be

reached by way of heaven, but a table available

to us now.

F i n i s h t h e b o o k —

o r d e r t o d a y !“ T h i s i s a

p o w e r f u l

T o o l . s T u d y i T.

M e d i T a T e i T.”

— K e n n e T h

C o p e L a n d

“I ask you to get into this book and really study it out.... You’ll not only redefine

your life, but you’ll also find out what you believe...then reaching your destiny and

your destination in this life will be an easy thing to accomplish. Now that is a satisfied

life! I highly recommend this book.”

— J e s s e D u p l a n t i s

“As a pastor, I watch so many Christians who simply ‘exist’ when Jesus died so they could live an abundant life. Dennis Burke’s new book...is a must read.” “Stop enduring

life and start enjoying life!”

— J i m F r e a s e

“What would you change in your life? Are you satisfied in every area? If not, this is

the book for you.... Study every page and then get ready to live life better than

you’ve ever imagined!”

— J e r r y s a v e l l e

every person can enjoy life the way God designed it— joy-filled and satisfying. Yet, there is a secret struggle taking place all around us. It is a hidden battle affecting millions of people—one that shackles them to disappointment, discontent, and frustration. Unfulfilled

dreams haunt them; doubts and fears hold them captive. Many have let events from their past, their current circumstances, or the opinions of others define their lives and control their destiny.

Of course there are some who have found success from society’s point of view. Yet, in reality they are living quiet lives of desperation. For them, despite the acclaim and prosperity they have achieved, the question remains, “why am I overwhelmed with stress and still so dissatisfied?” No matter how suc-cessful they become, it’s just not quite enough. Their quest for success and material things has defined their lives.

No matter what has defined your life, with God’s help you can find new direction and fulfillment. In this life-changing book, Dr. Dennis Burke reveals with clarity and Spirit-led wisdom how to identify the controlling factors in your life that have held you back. You will discover encouragement and insight from God’s Word and the secrets of how to redefine your life.

There is a joy-filled life available to you. You really can live—The Satisfied Life.

Order The Satisfied Life (B24)

1-800-742-4050dennisBurkeMinistries.org

Live theSatiSfied Life

$1499

F i n i s h t h e b o o k —

o r d e r t o d a y !

Den

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urkeMin

istries.org

2013upcoming meetings

by and by, but right here and now. If we put our faith in Him, good things can start happening in our life today. Jesus left no doubt about it. He summed up His whole mission on earth—His reason for dying on the cross and bearing mankind’s sins—by saying: “My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.”3

You can have a rich and satisfying life. It’s what we’ve all been hungry for; it’s what Jesus came to give; and it’s what the Bible promises us again and again in verses like these:

My people shall be satisfied with My goodness, says the Lord. ( Jeremiah 31:14)

He satisfies the longing soul, and fills the hungry soul with goodness. (Psalm 107:9)

Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of Your wings. They are abundantly satisfied with the fullness of Your house, and You give them drink from the river of Your pleasures. (Psalm 36:8)

With long life I will satisfy him, and show him my salvation. (Psalm 91:16)

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We need your help!Please help us curb unnecessary waste and expense by sending your change of address. Write or E-mail us at dbm@dennisburkeministries.org. If your household currently receives more than one copy of Insights magazine, please notify us.

March/April 2013 Insights—The Way to a New Life is published bimonthly by Dennis Burke Ministries, a nonprofit corporation, Arlington, Tarrant County, Texas. ©2013 Dennis Burke Ministries. All rights reserved. Editorial Consultant: Cynthia D. Hansen. Design: Michael Saltar, SaltarCreative.com. Reproduction of this publication in any manner, in whole or in part, without the prior written permission of the publisher is pro-hibited. Insights—The Way to a New Life and the logo on this publication are trademarks of Dennis Burke Ministries, in the United States of America and in international countries where Insights—The Way to a New Life circulates. Printed in the United States of America. For a free subscription, please write to Dennis Burke Ministries, P.O. Box 150043, Arlington, Texas 76015. Visit our website at DennisBurkeMinistries.org.

March 2New Life Family Worship28330 Bermont RoadPunta Gorda, FL 33982(941) 639-1700 March 3–5New Life Family Worship28330 Bermont RoadPunta Gorda, FL 33982(941) 639-1700 March 6–7Shining Light

Bible Church8500 Fruitville RoadSarasota, FL 34240(941) 366-9903

March 10Word of Faith Church339-B Billfrance BlvdDaytona Beach, FL 32114(386) 255-0662 March 15Joy Church International1019 Charlie Daniels

ParkwayMount Juliet, TN 37122(615) 773-5252 March 16–17Joy Church International1019 Charlie Daniels

ParkwayMount Juliet, TN 37122(615) 773-5252

March 21–22Family Worship Center4925 E. Bonne Femme

Church RoadColumbia, MO 65201(573) 441-1140 March 23–24Agape Church140 N. Point Prairie RdWentzville, MO 63385(636) 327-5632 April 6–7Solid Rock Church2917 East Sixth StreetStillwater, OK 74076(405) 743-4128 April 26–28The Faith Family Church5833-53 AvenueRed Deer, AB T4N 4L4(403) 340-3880 April 27The Faith Family Church5833-53 AvenueRed Deer, AB T4N 4L4(403) 340-3880

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P.O. Box 150043Arlington, TX 76015

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